Some Days Are Not For the Faint of Heart

As promised, I was going to write something about Mr. Rumsfeld's resignation. I was even going to add the news of Mr. Mehlman's resignation coming today. As I was set to write my take on these new developments regarding the changing of the guard in Washington D.C., I had heard that veteran 60 Minutes correspondent Ed Bradley had died of leukemia. The news, believe me, was pretty hard to take.

Mr. Bradley has been a staple within my home as long as I could remember. His face graced the screen of many a Sunday night as my family would sit around and watch his reports among the others (such as Leslie Stahl, Harry Reasoner and Mike Wallace with wonder. But for us, seeing him was quite special. It meant that progress was happening in the industry of television. News, for what it was worth at this day and age, benefitted from having Mr. Bradley there. There was not one news story he did that did not have an impact on society. My parents, sister and myself would marvel how he would travel the world and interview very fascinating people. We also watched with wonder as he would capture the essence of the story regarding many things that were pertinent to current events. Here was a Black man who intrepidly traveled the earth, conversed with world dignitaries and was treated with respect by his colleagues. Yes, things were changing.

However, the news today took my breath away because although news reports indicate that Mr. Bradley had been on the much lauded CBS news show for twenty three years, to me it seemed like forever. He was never going to leave. He was always going to be there despite the changes to the landscape of 60 Minutes. Mike Wallace's retirement was pretty hard to take as well. But, he's still alive and kicking (which is wonderful). Mr. Bradley will only be available with the legacy of video, which is is great for seeing his past triumphs in the news world. In the end, it is sad with the realisation that the soft-spoken, jazz-loving newsman would no more come on screen with hard-hitting items that people ought to know.

That is why despite the hope ushered into the world by the mid-term elections, today is just not a day to celebrate. The Broadcast and Print newsworld has lost one of its giants. His shoes will never be filled, despite how hard they try. Mr. Bradley's type of reportage with meticulousness, courage and empathy can never be emulated or replicated in any form. He indeed broke the mold.

Sorry for the downer. :(

More will be said regarding current events later on.